(Newser)
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While most countries worry about the nutrition and development of their kids, the British government wants to make sure its wee ones aren't falling down drunk, the Independent reports. Officials in Britain, where it’s legal to drink at home from age 5, are debating whether to issue guidelines on how much kids from 5-18 can safely put down. While some decry the rise of a "nanny state," others point to rising levels of binge drinking among minors.

Some binge-drinking stats from Britain:

55% of 11- to 15-year-olds have had at least one alcoholic drink in their lifetimes.

11.4 units is the average amount of alcohol consumed per week for 11- to 15-year-olds.

20% of those who drink buy it from friends or relatives, 18% from off-licenses, 14% from shops and supermarkets.

The minimum drinking age to purchase or possess alcohol in the U.S. is generally 21, as Jojo mentioned. However, a minimum age *for children at home* is left to the individual states (in accordance with the U.S. Constitution's tenth amendment). Virginia law, for example, specifically allows a child to consume alcohol if it was provided by a parent. No minimum age is specified. This is, presumably, to allow for religious practices or to prescribe medecines that contain some alcohol.

Michael_CT

Jan 2, 2009 2:40 AM CST

If kids are brought up learning how to drink resposibly, it could be a good thing. some kids just cant handle having it all of a sudden at 21. slowly integrating it into one's lifestyle could be a better option than just happening upon it.